Spotlight on the last five Aussie batsmen standing between England and retaining the Ashes

One way to protect your stumps: Brad Haddin takes the guard he hopes will keep England at bay

Whoever is handed the ball for England when the fourth Test resumes in Melbourne could be just a hat-trick away from retaining the Ashes.

With Australia 169 for six in their second innings, still 246 runs in arrears, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett or Tim Bresnan could wrap things up within the first few minutes at what is almost certain to be a near-deserted MCG.

England may need four wickets but with Ryan Harris having broken his left ankle and out of the next Test, he may not even be able to bat and will almost certainly not be risked.

So there are now five batsmen standing between England and a first successful Ashes series Down Under since 1986-87.

Sportsmail looks at those five and what they have done in the series so far.

At the crease…

Brad Haddin

Resumes 11 not out off 37 balls

Ashes series so far (not including current innings)

Inns

Not out

Runs

Highest

Average

6

0

269

136

44.8

If Haddin digs in and hangs around, he'll score freely. However, he's no Adam Gilchrist and even allowing for him to reach his average, that's just another 33 runs to add to his overnight 11.

Mitchell Johnson

Resumes 6 not out off 14 balls

Ashes series so far (not including current innings)

Inns

Not out

Runs

Highest

Average

4

0

63

62

15.7

One Test apart, Johnson has looked like an amateur against England. Before this match 62 of his 63 series runs had come in one innings. A natural shot player, Mitch probably won't hang around long and is nine runs away from his series average so far.

To come...

Ryan Harris

Ashes series so far

Inns

Not out

Runs

Highest

Average

5

1

14

10*

3.5

Harris shone with the ball in the last Test but will find it hard to even stand up in this match now with a broken ankle. Down to come in at nine, he'll almost certainly sit the innings out - but even if he does get in, his paltry average means he won't hang around for long.

Peter Siddle

Ashes series so far

Inns

Not out

Runs

Highest

Average

6

1

69

35*

13.8

Even if Sid Vicious - hat-trick hero of the first Test - connects with a few, there are too many runs for him to chase down to make a long lasting impression.

Ben Hilfenhaus

Ashes series so far

Inns

Not out

Runs

Highest

Average

4

2

14

13

7

A genuine Test No. 11, Hilfenhaus won't try and stick around because he knows he can't so the bat will quickly flail. Expect the champagne to be in the hands of Andy Flower and his England backroom team as Hilfenhaus strolls to the middle and listen out for the pop of corks not long after.

If the last five Aussie batsmen play to their averages, they will add another 65 runs - that's 234 all out - and it will all be over before lunch on day four.

This will give England victory by an innings and 181 runs and ensure they keep possession of the Ashes urn.

That's IF they make their average score - if they don't, the Barmy Army could be starting a celebration last seen in early 1987 at around 11.30pm our time.

Unless it rains of course - and the average is 10 days of rain in December, so anything could happen in the next two...